Nobody likes to be sick. But each season can bring along allergies, bugs or viruses that can make you feel unwell, which can lead to periods off work sick and even loss of income.
General advice such as eating right, getting enough sleep, washing your hands regularly and taking a recommended amount of vitamins can assist you and keep your immune system strong. However when we are run down by sickness there are some easy steps that can be taken to help you get back on the road to recovery.
Below are some key illnesses and some suggestions of how to take steps to ward them off.
There are many infections that are common in the late spring and summer. Among the viruses that can commonly cause infections in the summer include stomach bugs and respiratory bugs. Although more common in winter, it is also possible to catch the common cold in the summer.
Mosquito and tick-borne infections such as Lyme disease can be avoided by preventing tick or mosquitoes bites. In high risk areas for Lyme disease, you should wear long sleeve tops and long trousers with high socks and boots. You can also tuck your trouser legs into your socks and use a tick repellent. Check your body for ticks at least once or twice a day, especially if you have been camping or playing in tick infested areas (grassy, brushy or wooden areas). Be sure to tell your GP if you or family member gets sick following a tick bite.
Another important cause of infections and illness in the summer months is food poisoning or food-borne illnesses. Because bacteria thrive in warm, moist environments, food poisoning is relatively frequent in the summer when there are an increased number of cookouts and picnics. Food poisoning can be prevented by frequently washing your hands and cooking surfaces, not allowing foods and utensils to become cross contaminated, cooking foods to their proper temperature, and promptly refrigerating leftovers.
Hayfever is an allergic reaction to pollen, whether it be tree, grass or weed pollen. Symptoms include sneezing, a runny nose and itchy eyes. Nose, eyes, throat and sinuses become irritated and inflamed by proteins in the pollen.
There is currently no cure for hayfever except avoiding it completely, but this is extremely hard if not impossible if you enjoy going out on a spring/summer day. Here are some simple steps to help prevent/reduce symptoms:
If your symptoms are more troublesome it’s worth speaking to your GP as you may require prescription medication.
Autumn and Winter is colds and flu season. These are viral illnesses which do not need treatment with antibiotics.
There is no cure for colds and flu. You can only treat the symptoms. The virus will go of its own accord, without treatment, and will last for 7 days or more. Antibiotics make no difference and can make you feel worse.
Colds and flu can make you feel very miserable and unwell. But there are things you can do to treat the symptoms which will help you to feel better. Doctors advise that you should try and treat you and your family’s cold and flu symptoms for 7 days before you contact your doctor.
Practise good hygiene to help prevent it from spreading:
Sore throats, also known as pharyngitis, are common. Most people have at least two or three every year. Most sore throats are not serious and pass within three to seven days without the need for medical treatment. After a week, 85% of people will find that their symptoms have been resolved.
Sore throat frequently accompanies your cold and flu symptoms. Adults can gargle with soluble aspirin. Children under 12 should not take aspirin but paracetamol is fine. Suck boiled sweets or throat lozenges.
Here are some basic steps to help you rid your cold:
Note: Colds and flu, and most coughs, are caused by viruses so antibiotics can’t help. Minor bacterial infections will also be fought off by natural immunity.
Remember; never give aspirin to children under 16 years of age. Ask your pharmacist for advice on what over-the-counter remedies would best treat your symptoms. Wash your hands regularly to reduce the spread of the virus.
Better known as the winter vomiting bug, is the most common stomach bug in the UK, affecting people of all ages.
The virus, which is highly contagious, causes vomiting and diarrhoea. As there is no specific cure, you have to let it run its course, but it should not last more than a couple of days. Norovirus can be unpleasant to experience, but it&39s not generally dangerous and most people make a full recovery within a couple of days, without having to see a doctor. If you get norovirus, make sure you drink plenty of fluids to avoid dehydration and practise good hygiene to help prevent it from spreading.
Flu usually has more severe symptoms than a cold. They might include:
The fever associated with flu should disappear after 3 to 5 days but it may take a while before you feel like yourself again and for your cough to disappear.
Call your Doctor for advice if you or a member of your family: has a temperature lasting more than 7 days, becomes very short of breath, coughs up blood or large amounts of yellow or green phlegm.
If you’re at risk of complications from flu, make sure you have your annual flu jab available from September onwards. Anyone can get flu, but it can be more serious for certain people, such as:
If you are in one of these groups, you’re more vulnerable to the effects of flu and could develop a more serious illness, such as pneumonia and bronchitis.
